The Brink of Things

 Phil got his a$& handed to him. 

Okay, maybe not precisely handed to him...

But when he saw his shadow, therefore "predicting" six more weeks of winter, Punxsutawney Phil received a mix of cheers and boos from a crowd of anxious onlookers. Anxious because they had waited 4-5 hours in single-digit temperatures to hear it (child, WHY??). 

A couple of weeks ago, on Groundhog Day, crowds had gathered in the frigid morning air to wait for Punx to make his appearance and his prediction. It's a tradition that is carried out every year at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Strictly for fun, you understand, since his accuracy is very unreliable (39%!). 

As I'm writing this from my home in Georgia, and he is known for 80% accuracy, I really should be following General Beauregard Lee instead. General Lee is our state's version, boasting an accuracy rate of 80% correct in his predictions. But as a black woman in the South, the name General Lee doesn't exactly, well, instill fun and frivolity. Anyway, Punxsutawney's prediction followed a full-blown snow day here in my neck of the woods two days prior, so it was a point of interest. 

snowy macro

Fast forward to mid-February. And temperatures that have fluctuated into the high sixties at times. We are set to see temps in the seventies later this week. We have a confused rodent, no? But the spikes in the weather have inspired me to devote time here and there to seed prep and indoor plant maintenance.

Garden things kind of spun off the rails with the holidays, my shops, YouTube, and life in general. I've had a concern [and fear] in the back of my mind for the state of some of my (admittedly neglected) plants over that time. Some, thankfully, appear to be thriving despite my neglect. 

indoor green babies

seed sorting

For Valentine's Day, I treated myself to a handsome seed storage chest to help me get things back on track. It arrived over the weekend, and I've already begun sorting and organizing seeds and plant things. As most every year, poring over my seeds and ideas for the coming growing season, I was again filled with hope and inspiration for what could possibly sprout. Storied rodents with jobs and titles be damned. 

P.S. Happy Lunar New Year! Link to get your own seeds in gear (the kit I got), here.